Livestock Health, Management and Production › High Impact Diseases › Vector-borne Diseases ›
Bovine Babesiosis›
Bovine Babesiosis
Author: Prof Banie Penzhorn
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
CONTROL / PREVENTION
Vector control
Eradication of the tick vectors (the so-called minimum disease situation) is the most desirable, permanent
solution to the problem but is rarely considered practical or economical. The alternative approach,
allowing natural endemic stability to develop by practicing limited or no tick control, is similarly unrealistic
in areas where R. appendiculatus and Amblyomma spp. are well established. These regions are also
endemic for other Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp. and essential control of other tick species will inevitably
affect the epidemiology of redwater. In the long-term, this approach can be achieved by integrating the
strategic use of acaricides, the application of vaccines in endemically unstable conditions and the use of
tick-resistant breeds of cattle.
Vaccination
Cattle develop a durable immunity after a single infection with B. bigemina and B. bovis. This feature has
been exploited with the use of live attenuated vaccines to immunize cattle.
The Babesia strains used in vaccines are of reduced virulence, but are not entirely safe. Reactions to B.
bigemina may occur within seven days and to B. bovis within 10–14 days after vaccination. A practical
recommendation is therefore to limit the use of vaccine to calves aged 3–9 months when non-specific
immunity will minimize the risk of reactions. When older animals have to be vaccinated, there is a risk of
severe vaccine reactions, and they should be observed daily for three weeks after vaccination. Ideally,
rectal temperatures of vaccinated cattle should be taken and animals treated when significant fever
develops. Because of the risk of abortions, vaccination of pregnant cows is rarely advised.
The immunity lasts for several years in the case of B. bovis, but in the absence of natural challenge, it
may break down in the case of B. bigemina. Redwater vaccines can be given at the same time as
anaplasmosis and other vaccines, with the exception of heartwater vaccine. The incubation period after
vaccination against babesiosis and heartwater is the same. Treatment is required in animals that react,
i.e. showing an increased temperature reaction. At this stage, the owner will not be able to determine
against which of the two pathogens the animal is reacting, and will therefore not be able to administer
appropriate treatment. The incubation period after vaccination against anaplasmosis is longer than in the
case of babesiosis, and reactions should not overlap; treatment of the animal reacting to the babesiosis
vaccine will not influence development of immunity against anaplasmosis.
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Livestock Health, Management and Production › High Impact Diseases › Vector-borne Diseases ›
Bovine Babesiosis›
Vaccination against B. divergens is not commonly done. A formalin-inactivated vaccine has been used
with some success in Austria since 1988, while an experimental live vaccine has been successfully used
in Ireland.
Treatment
A number of drugs have been used (see Table 1). Recovery is the rule if specific treatment is given early
in the course of the infection. If treatment is delayed, however, supportive therapy may be essential if the
animal is to survive. Non-specific support includes the use of haematinics, vitamins, intravenous
administration of fluids, good nutrition and provision of shade. Blood transfusions may be indicated in
cattle with heavy parasitaemias and low PCVs (<0.10); histo-incompatibility seldom occurs at the first
transfusion. In acute B. bovis infections, use of antioxidants such as vitamin E, and high doses of
corticosteroids may help to offset the hypotensive and hypercoagulable state of the animal. In cases of
cerebral babesiosis, intravenous use of hypertonic solutions of mannitol or glucose may provide
temporary relief.
Chemoprophylaxis
Imidocarb and diminazene are the only babesiacides with useful prophylactic properties for the
short-term control or prevention of babesiosis. Treatment with imidocarb (3 mg/kg) will prevent
overt B. bovis infections for at least four weeks and B. bigemina infections for at least eight
weeks. Diminazene (3,5 mg/kg) will protect cattle against the two diseases for one and two
weeks, respectively. Unfortunately, the prophylactic use of imidocarb may interfere with the
development of immunity following vaccinations because the residual effect of the drug may
eliminate or suppress the infection. The interval between the use of imidocarb and vaccination
should be at least eight weeks if immunity to B. bovis is required and 16 weeks in the case of B.
bigemina. If diminazene is used, the intervals for the two parasites should be about four and eight
weeks, respectively.
Control of outbreaks
Procedures to be followed during an outbreak will depend largely on the number and manageability of the
animals concerned, and the availability and cost of labour, drugs, vaccine and acaricides. One or more of
the following actions can be taken to limit losses:

Treat sick animals and separate them, if possible, from the rest of the herd.

Have the diagnosis confirmed at a reputable laboratory.

Treat unaffected cattle for ticks to prevent exposure.

Consider immediate vaccination of all unaffected cattle.

Consider use of a prophylactic treatment programme as mentioned above.
Table 1: Treatment
* i/m = intramuscular; s/c = subcutaneous; i/v = intravenous
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Livestock Health, Management and Production › High Impact Diseases › Vector-borne Diseases ›
Bovine Babesiosis›
Drug
Trade Name
Dosage and Route
of Administration*
Uses and
Advantages
Disadvantages
Diamidine Derivatives
Berenil
Ganaseg
Diminazene
Trypazen
Veriban
3.5 mg/kg i/m
Diampron
Pirodia
bigemina; well
-
tolerated
Babezene
Dimisol
Amicarbalide
Rapid activity against
B, bovis and B.
5–10 mg/kg s/c, i/m
Rapid activity against
B, bovis and B.
bigemina; well
-
tolerated
Imidocarb
Imizol
Forray 65
1,2–3.0 mg/kg s/c
or i/m
Rapid activity against
B. bovis and B.
bigemina; well
tolerated
Phenamidine
Phenamidine
12 mg/kg s/c or i/m
Greatest activity
against B. bigemina
Nephro- and
hepatotoxic at high
doses
Cholinesterase
inhibition
Quinoline Derivatives
Slow effect on B.
bovis.
Babesan
Quinuronium
Sulphate
Ludobal
Acaprin
Pirevan
Cholinesterase
1 mg/kg s/c
Greatest activity
against B. bigemina
inhibition: dose rate
should not be
exceeded (atropine
counteracts toxic
effects)
Acridine Derivatives
Euflavine
Gonacrine
Euflavine
2–4 mg/kg i/v
Trypan blue
Trypan blue
0,1 mg/kg i/v
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Rapid activity against
B. bovis and B.
bigemina spp.
Highly irritant if not
given strictly i/v
Active against B.
Little effect against
B. bovis, irritant if not
Livestock Health, Management and Production › High Impact Diseases › Vector-borne Diseases ›
Bovine Babesiosis›
Drug
Trade Name
Dosage and Route
of Administration*
Uses and
Advantages
Disadvantages
bigemina
given i/v;
discoloration of milk
and carcass
Antibiotics
Tetracycline
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Terramycin LA
20 mg/kg i/m
Mitigates Babesia
vaccine reactions
Doubtful efficacy in
clinical disease